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5th New York
Artillery Heavy
Online Books:
5th New York
Artillery Heavy Soldier
Roster - Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the State of New York For the Year
1893, Volume 10 View the Entire Book
| Regimental History |
| Fifth New York Artillery (Heavy). — Cols., Samuel Graham, Edward
Murray; Lieut.-Cols., Edward Murray, Henry B. McIlvaine; Majs., Henry B. McIlvaine, Eugene
McGrath, Frederick C. Wilkie, Casper Urban, Henry B. Wilder, Gustavus F. Merriam, John H.
Graham, William H. Boyle. This regiment, known as the 2nd regiment, Jackson heavy
artillery, was organized in New York city, the first two battalions being recruited
principally in the counties of New York and Kings by Cols. Graham and Murray, and the 70th
militia contributing a number of men to the regiment. These battalions were mustered into
the U. S. service in April, 1862, for three years. The regimental organization was
completed on Dec. 31, 1862, by the transfer of the 3d battalion of Black River artillery,
forming Cos. K, L and M. These companies had been recruited in the counties of Jefferson
and Lewis, and mustered into the U. S. service at Sacket's Harbor, Sept. 11-12, for three
years. The members of the original eight companies, except veterans, were mustered out on
the expiration of their term of service, the veterans and recruits being continued in
service. The first eight companies organized were employed for the first two months in
garrisoning the different fortifications in New York harbor. In the latter part of May,
1862, they went to Baltimore, Md. On June 19, Cos. A and F were detached and under the
command of Maj. McIlvaine were sent to Harper's Ferry, where they were surrendered in
Sept., 1862, at the time of Stonewall Jackson's capture of that place. They subsequently
rejoined the regiment at Baltimore, after being paroled. The 3d battalion was stationed in
the defenses of Washington for nearly a year, but was ordered to Harper's Ferry, in Nov.,
1863, where it was joined the following April by the other two battalions, the regiment
being employed in guarding Maryland heights and in fatigue duties. The 1st battalion
— Cos. A, B, C and D — was detached in May, 1864, for service in the field with
the 1st brigade, 1st division, Army of West Virginia (8th corps), and fought at Piedmont,
Lexington, Buchanan, Lynchburg, Liberty and Salem. On the occasion of Early's attack on
Harper's Ferry in July, the regiment performed excellent service and sustained a
considerable loss. On July 29, 1864, the 1st battalion was relieved in the field by the
2nd — Cos. E, F, G and H — under command of Maj. Urban, and the latter took part
in all the great battles of the valley under Gen. Sheridan, being active at Snicker's
ferry, where it lost 69 killed, wounded and missing, at Winchester, Martinsburg, Cedar
creek, Charlestown, Halltown, Berryville, the Opequan, where it lost 43, Fisher's hill,
two actions at Cedar creek in October, loss 53, and 309 respectively, 301 being captured
in the second engagement. On Oct. 28, the battalion returned to Harper's Ferry. The
regiment served both as infantry and heavy artillery and was mustered out at Harper's
Ferry, July 19, 1865, under command of Col. Graham. It lost during service 98 men killed
and died of wounds; 1 officer and 293 enlisted men died of disease, accidents, and other
causes; total deaths, 392, of whom 76 died as prisoners. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 2
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